Quotable quotes

Some thoughts from the OED and its files on

a battered fish too far...
1678 T. Shipman (title) Henry the Third of France, Stabb'd by a Fryer.

written in brass...
1728 E. Chambers Cyclopaedia, F. Romani has published a metallic history of the popes.

distinguishing the higher and lower orders...
1910 F. G. D'aeth in Sociol. Rev., The present class structure is based upon different standards of life...These varying standards tend to fall into seven groups...A. The Loafer...B. Low-skilled labour...C. Artizan...D. Smaller Shopkeeper and clerk...E. Smaller Business Class...F. Professional and Administrative Class...G. The Rich.

doing time...
2000 Daily Telegraph 2 Oct. 5 Mickey, 59, who refused to give his surname, said [of Reggie Kray] 'He should have been let out of prison a lot sooner. The time he served was criminal.'